The University of Cincinnati women's indoor track & field team formally begins its 2012-13 schedule Saturday at the SPIRE Institute Collegiate Season Opener in Geneva, Ohio. It will be the Bearcats first intercollegiate competition after holding their annual intrasquad meet last Friday in the Armory Fieldhouse. Saturday's meet will pit UC against some of the region's top teams.

"This will be our first meet of the year and for that reason along an important one," said head coach Bill Schnier.

"It's our first chance to get qualifying performances for the BIG EAST championship and NCAAs," added head coach Susan Seaton. "It will also allow us to see everyonen's current status. We are excited for our freshman competing officially as Bearcats for the first time."

The SPIRE Institute is a group of athletic facilities that were developed in part by the non-profit Geneva Area Recreation, Education and Athletic Trust. The 240,000-square feet clear-span indoor track & field complex was opened in January 2010 and instantly earned a reputation as one of the best of its kind in the region. The facility will host the BIG EAST championships in February.

The Bearcats have high expectations heading into the first meet. The UC indoor track & field team has posted all-time best results in each of the past two seasons and look to be especially strong in the throws, long jump, pole vault and hurdles. However, the UC coaching staff stated the team's depth will help the Bearcats be competitive at nearly every event.

"We are looking for good performances from Mackenzie Fields (pole vault), Shanay Portis (triple jump, long jump and 60-meters dash), Frida Akerstrom (weight throw), Emily Clay (pole vault and 3,000-meters run) and newcomers Erika Hurd (high jump and 60-meters dash), Monica Phillips (weight throw), Kenya Woodall (400 meters) and Javett Lee (60-meters hurdles, 400 meters)," said Seaton. "We aren't sure what are best events will be but based on the intrasquad results and marks from last year, we should be very competitive in all event areas."

In addition to the women's team, Josh Dangel and Tommy Marks will compete in the men's pole vault. Dangel set a record for the intrasquad meet with a 16'8" vault. UC's men's indoor track & field team will debut formally next season.